FGS Election Results

The following individuals have been elected to new terms (beginning January 1, 2011) on the board of the Federation of Genealogical Societies:

President: Pat Oxley

VP Admin: Josh Taylor

Secretary: David Rencher

Directors:

Bruce Buzbee

Bobbi King

Drew Smith

Paula Stuart-Warren

Post Your Society's Event in the FGS Calendar

Did you know that the Federation of Genealogical Societies maintains a calendar? Yes indeed! It's another way for your genealogical society to advertise its all-day or multiple day events. Visit the FGS Calendar of Events website at fgs.org/calendar. You may submit your events in several ways. First, you can use the online form. Second, submissions may also be mailed to Ann L. Wells at FGS Calendar, PO Box 672, Crystal Lake, IL 60039-0672. You may also email sumissions to calendar@fgs.org. Include name and description of event, date, place, contact name and address, phone or fax number, or email.

What's even better is that your event will gain even better exposure through the FGS FORUM electronic magazine and in the FGS Voice electronic newsletter. Submit your event online (not by mail or email) in time to meet the publication deadline for the FGS FORUM (January 1 for mid-April; April 1 for mid-July; July 1 for mid-October; October 1 for mid-January) and your event will be included in the quarterly electronic magazine. The FGS Voice newsletter is produced at the end of every month. Information is taken from the FGS Voice blog throughout the month and the editor also gathers upcoming calendar information for inclusion in the newsletter.

This is a terrific way to extend the exposure of your society's conferences, symposia, and other all-day or multi-day events to the rest of the genealogical community. And it's FREE!

Check the FGS Events Calendar and see how many societies have been missing the boat advertising their events. Postings are open to both FGS member societies and non members!

Tri-City (Richland, Washington) Genealogical Society Presents Pat Stamm in September 2011

Join us in "Building Ancestral Bridges" with Patricia Walls Stamm, CG, CGL at the Washington State Genealogical Society’s 2011 Annual Conference, hosted by Tri-City Genealogical Society. Details are being planned and session topics have not been finalized. Patricia Walls Stamm will be providing a Friday night event topic and three additional topics on Saturday. Other speakers will present at breakout sessions on Saturday. For more information in early 2011 and registration before the conference, visit www.tricitygenealogicalsociety.org

FGS Membership Dues Renewals Emailed This Week

Hello!

The Federation of Genealogical Societies emailed its members this week to request dues renewals for 2011. The email was different this year in that it did not include a document requesting updates to our members' information. Instead, we provided a link to a PDF file for the renewal. We are actively inviting our members to send us the most current information about their societies. We will, in turn, update our membership database.

In addition, the information about your organization's address, primary contract address, and website address, will be updated in your Society Hall listing. (Your updates, too, will now update the FGS Membership Database.)

It is imperative that you update your Society Hall listing and/or email FGS at membership@fgs.org so that we have the best possible email contact information for you. We will also update the FGS FORUM database so that we can alert you when a new issue of the magazine is available and alert you to member services benefits.

Please send an email to membership@fgs.org if your primary contact person or your society delegate did not receive a membership renewal notice earlier this week. We'll re-send that to you.

You are very important to us! The Federation of Genealogical Societies is a very proactive organization, active in education, publications, preservation and access, and two-way electronic communications. We need your help too!

The FGS membership year runs from January 1st to December 31st. You don't want to miss out on existing benefits and the new benefits we have planned for 2011. Please get your annual FGS membership dues to FGS by December 31st. I can send you the FGS Membership Form if you would like to join. Please simply email me at membership@fgs.org.

Together we can make a difference!

George G. Morgan
Vice President of Membership Services
Federation of Genealogical Societies

FGS Invites Applications for FORUM Editor

The Federation of Genealogical Societies issued a press release on 30 September 2010 announcing that it is accepting applications for the position of editor of its electronic quarterly magazine, the FGS FORUM.

We are very pleased that we have received inquiries for the position description from potential candidates! However, we sincerely invite interested persons to contact us for details about the editor position. We can provide those via email. Requests should be sent to application@fgs.org. Applicants may then submit a detailed résumé for consideration, along with several examples of publications for which they have been responsible as editor. These should be sent electronically to application@fgs.org.

Submissions should be received no later than November 1, 2010.

We are excited to hear from candidates and welcome submissions for the position. Questions can certainly be addressed to the FGS FORUM Application Review Committee at this address.

Thank you again for your interest and applications.

Cordially,
The FGS FORUM Application Review Committee

Accessible Archives Offers Discount to FGS Member Societies

Malvern, PA (October 5, 2010)

Accessible Archives, Inc., an electronic publisher of primary source full-text historical databases, has announced the upcoming inclusion of materials from the six New England states to its current series, American County Histories to 1900. The additional information from these states will complement that contained in the original county collection of Mid-Atlantic states: Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania. This makes Accessible Archives the primary source for County History materials.

Detailed coverage of local history, geology, geography, weather, family histories, health and vital statistics and lists of local participants in the Revolutionary and Civil Wars, is included. Information concerning government, the medical and legal professions, churches and ministers, industry and manufacturing, banking and insurance, schools and teachers, noted celebrations, fire departments and associations, cemeteries, transportation, roads and bridges, public officials and legislators, and many additional subject areas also may be researched.

Accessible Archives, Inc., also has signed an agreement with the University of Iowa to preserve in digital format a number of primary source publications from the Civil War era. Accessible Archives, Inc., has an extensive Civil War collection and is adding primary source content that consists of memoirs, pamphlets, and regimental histories from the Civil War holdings at the University of Iowa. The newly-added materials provide battle perspectives from both soldiers and generals, with additional accounts of Midwest action. Iowa provided more troops per capita than any other Union state, and these writings reflect the experiences of Iowa soldiers as they fought in nearly all the campaigns and major battles throughout the war years. The Second, 14th, 15th, Twentieth, Twenty-first and 22nd Iowa Infantry Brigades are represented here, along with the 2nd Iowa Cavalry and Crocker's Iowa Brigade. This compliments the Civil War Newspaper Collection, Soldier’s Perspective, General’s Perspective and Midwestern Perspective.

Access the genealogical library of diverse primary source materials contained in Accessible Archives Inc.’s online databases providing 175 years of American history and culture of the 18th and 19th centuries through full-text searches and digital images.

Available databases include:

African American Newspapers: 19th Century
American County Histories to 1900 :
I: Mid-Atlantic
II: New England
The Pennsylvania Gazette 1782-1800
Godey’s Lady’s Book 1830-1898
The Liberator 1831-1865
South Carolina Newspapers 1732-1780
The Virginia Gazette 1736-1780
The Civil War, 1855-1869
I: A Newspaper Perspective
II: The Soldiers’ Perspective
III: The Generals’ Perspective
IV: A Midwestern Perspective
V: Iowa’s Perspective

Our Offer to You

Act now to receive our Inaugural Subscription Discount. To qualify for a 50% discount you must be a genealogical or historical Society that employs 20 staff members or less. Act by February 15, 2011.

For further Information, or to receive a price quotation, please contact:
cheryl.crosby@unlimitedpriorities.com
Phone: 301 203 4483

About Accessible Archives, Inc.

Founded in 1990, Accessible Archives utilizes computer technology to provide vast quantities of archived historical information previously available only in microformat. Diverse primary source materials reflecting broad views across American history and culture have been assembled into comprehensive databases. Developed by dedicated instructors and students of Americana, these databases allow access to the rich store of materials from leading newspapers, books and periodicals then current. Accessible Archives will continue to add titles covering important topics and time periods to assist scholars and students at all academic levels. Accessible Archives has retained Unlimited Priorities Corporation as its exclusive sales and marketing agent. To learn more about Accessible Archives click on URL link: http://www.accessible.com

About Unlimited Priorities Corporation

Unlimited Priorities is attuned to the management requirements of companies in the information industry. We provide executive-level support services by utilizing a highly skilled group of professionals with abundant experience. Our practice specialties include Sales and Marketing, Business Development, Financial Services, Operations Management, Production, Information Technology, and Content Development and Licensing. Our new Archival Initiatives Division provides advice to libraries, historical societies and industry associations in selecting, distributing, and monetizing their valuable archival content. Our goal is to enhance our clients’ abilities to succeed, offering solutions that are realistic, practical, achievable and affordable. To learn more about Unlimited Priorities Corporation click on URL link: http://www.unlimitedpriorities.com

Fairfax Genealogical Society 2011-2012 Calls for Papers

The Fairfax Genealogical Society is accepting proposals for its General Meetings, Education Classes, Fall Fair, and Spring Conference for 2011-2012. All events are held in Fairfax County, which is in northern Virginia, just west of Washington, D.C. Please see the complete Calls for Papers at www.fxgs.org/callforpapers.htm for the exact details and dates. All submissions must be received between 01 October 2010 and 01 February 2011.

Topics may include any genealogical subject such as court records, ethnic research, military records, methodology, migration, writing, colonial research, or beginning, intermediate, or advanced research. No preference is given to topics related to Virginia since many attendees are non-natives; however, Virginia topics are certainly welcome. We will consider proposals from a single speaker for both the Thursday night General Meeting and the following Saturday Education Class/Fall Fair/or Conference; topics do not have to be related. Proposals for remotely presented lectures (General Meetings and Education Classes, only) will be considered, but presenter is responsible for providing any services or software needed other than an Internet connection (i.e. GoToMeeting or similar services).

Speakers will receive an honorarium. Travel, per diem, board, and other expenses can NOT be provided and are the responsibility of the speaker.

The Fairfax Genealogical Society has over 500 members. General Meetings usually have over 100 people in attendance while Saturday Education Classes have 50-60. The Fall Fair normally has an attendance of 100-150 people. It also includes one or two book vendors and several informational booths from other societies or groups. For the last several years, attendance at the Spring Conference has been about 260. Also, there are usually 15-20 vendors selling books, software, and other items of interest to genealogists.

Exact dates, requirements, and submission guidelines are posted at www.fxgs.org/callforpapers.htm. Questions should be e-mailed to CallForPapers@fxgs.org.

Chuck Mason

San Fernando Valley Genealogical Society Presents Gena Ortega

"Catholic Church Records" will be the topic of speaker, Gena Philibert Ortega at the San Fernando Valley Genealogical Society, at the October 15, 2010 meeting at 7:30 p.m. at the Meeting Room at the Chatsworth Train Station, 10038 Old Depot Road, Chatsworth, CA. Catholic Church records can provide a wealth of information as you trace an ancestor through time. Diocesan resources, online sites, and microfilmed resources, religious newspapers, Catholic fraternal organizations, and Catholic cemeteries will be covered.

Gena Philibert Ortega is the Genealogy Community Communications Director for FamilyLink. In this position she works as the newsletter editor for WorldVitalRecords and manages GenealogyWise. Gena serves as Vice-President for the Southern California Chapter of the Association of Professional Genealogists. She is also a Regional Director for the California State Genealogical Alliance.

Join us for this interesting and informative presentation. Visitors are welcome. Our programs are free, but donations are appreciated. Door prize drawing. You can also find us at the following web site: www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~casfvgs/. For information call John Lindsay at (818) 349-0878.

NYGBS Presents Dr. John Colletta at Nov. 6 Program

On Saturday, November 6th, the New York Genealogical and Biographical Society will present internationally known genealogist and author John Colletta, Ph.D. in a full-day program at the New York Public Library’s Stephen A. Schwarzman Building, Fifth Avenue at 42nd Street, New York, NY. Entertaining, knowledgeable and experienced, Dr. Colletta is based in Washington, D.C., where for 20 years he conducted workshops for the National Archives and taught courses for the Smithsonian Institution. Today he lectures nationally and is a faculty member of the Institute of Genealogy and Historical Research at Samford University and the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy. His publications include the books They Came in Ships: A Guide to Finding Your Immigrant Ancestor's Arrival Records and Finding Italian Roots: The Complete Guide for Americans, as well as numerous how-to articles.

Dr. Colletta will give four lectures on the following topics: (1) Passenger Arrival Records (1820-1950s) – Advanced Problem Solving; (2) Naturalization Records (1790-1920s) – Advanced Problem Solving; (3) Turning Biographical Facts into Real Life Events: How to Build Historical Context, and (4) Breaking Through Brick Walls: Use Your HEAD. This is a wonderful opportunity for researchers of all levels to strengthen their skills and knowledge and to learn from one of the country’s most respected genealogists. Dr. Colletta describes his goal as “to help family historians optimize their efforts to uncover and write the stories of their forebears, and to enjoy all along the way the pleasure and humor of the journey.“

The program begins at 10:00 a.m. at the NYPL’s South Court Auditorium and will end by 4:30 p.m with a break for lunch on-your-own. Registration for NYG&B members is $60, non-members is $90. Register online at www.newyorkfamilyhistory.org. For additional information, contact Lauren Maehrlein, Director of Education, at 212-755-8532, ext. 211, or by e-mailing education@nygbs.org.

Celebrating October as Family History Month in Virginia

Both Robert F. McDonnell, Governor of Virginia, and Sharon Bulova, Chairman of the Board of Supervisors of Fairfax County, Virginia, have proclaimed October as Family History Month. Many thanks are due to Harold McClendon and the Mount Vernon Genealogical Society in Fairfax County for their extraordinary efforts to issue the proclamations and publicize October as Family History Month. Both Proclamations may be seen on the MVGS website, www.mvgenealogy.org. The Governor’s Proclamation is also posted at the Governor’s official website, www.governor.virginia.gov/OurCommonwealth/Proclamations/2010/FamilyHistory.cfm . The proclamations are also on the Fairfax Genealogical Society’s website at www.fxgs.org/Virginia_Certificate.pdf and www.fxgs.org/Family_History_Proc.pdf. Both the Mount Vernon and Fairfax Societies are members of FGS.

Has your society done something special to celebrate October as Family History Month? Do you know the history or background for designating October as Family History Month? Let the FGS Voice know!

Gordon L. Erickson
Director, FGS